Shoulder Rehabilitation Tool

ABSTRACT

A shoulder rehabilitation tool, constructed in accordance with the present invention, comprises a base, a handle mounted to the base and extending away from the base, and a pair of rollers mounted to the base.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The presentation invention relates, in general, to the field of physical rehabilitation and, in particular, to a tool for rehabilitating the shoulder of a person.

BACKGROUND

For pain free motion in the shoulder of a person during rehabilitation of the shoulder, proper Scapulohumeral Rhythum is required. Scapulohumeral Rhythum is the timing mechanism that occurs between the Scapula and the Humeral Head. Following the first thirty degrees of shoulder elevation (i.e., the setting phase), the Glenohumeral joint and the Scapulothorcic joint move simultaneously as the Humerus elevates. For every two degrees of Glenohumeral joint movement, the Scapulothoracic joint moves one degree. It is a 2:1 ratio of movement.

Motion is disturbed when only the Scapula elevates because of what is termed a substitution pattern. A substitution pattern occurs because the Rotator Cuff muscles that position the head of the Humerus become inactive because of trauma or inhibition. The larger prime mover muscles of the joint then take over as the substitutes and try to elevate the arm. When this happens, the Upper Trapezius muscle tries to elevate the arm but, without any depressive force from the Rotator Cuff muscles, no motion occurs overhead. When this one-sided movement occurs, motion overhead will fail. Thus, for motion to occur, a force couple at the Glenohumeral joint must exist. This force couple is produced by two equal and opposite forces exerting a purely rotational force. Thus, there has to be an opposite depressive force on the humeral head for the arm to elevate. When one muscle overtakes the others, only elevation occurs and motion fails.

The final barrier to elevation/motion in the shoulder is strength. Often following surgery, the muscles are too weak to push the arm overhead, especially against gravity. One contrain the muscles in a gravity minimized position (i.e., lying supine), but then the mechanics needed for upright motion are changed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A shoulder rehabilitation tool 1, constructed in accordance with the present invention, comprises a base, a handle mounted to the base and extending away from the base, and a pair of rollers mounted to the base.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a shoulder rehabilitation tool 1 constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the base portion of the FIG. 1 shoulder rehabilitation tool 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view, partially in section, of the FIG. 1 shoulder rehabilitation tool 1;

FIG. 4 is a side view, partially in section, of the FIG. 1 shoulder rehabilitation tool 1;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the FIG. 1 shoulder rehabilitation tool 1;

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the FIG. 1 shoulder rehabilitation tool 1;

FIG. 7 is a front view of the FIG. 2 base portion of the FIG. 1 shoulder rehabilitation tool 1;

FIG. 8 is a front view, partially in section, of the FIG. 2 base portion of the FIG. 1 shoulder rehabilitation tool 1; and

FIG. 9 is a side view of the FIG. 2 base portion of the FIG. 1 shoulder rehabilitation tool 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT(S)

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 9, a shoulder rehabilitation tool 1, constructed in accordance with the present invention, includes a base 20, a handle 40, and a pair of rollers 60.

The base 20 includes a body section 22 and a pair of roller receiving housings 30.

The body section 22 is an elongated monolithic structures having a handle receiving section 24 positioned on a top surface thereof and extending there-through. In the shown embodiment of FIG. 6, the body section 22 is hollow with inner bracing walls 26 to provide rigidity and minimize weight of the base 20. In the shown embodiment, the inner bracing walls 26 are collection of intersecting walls extending downward from an the inner surface of the body section 22.

Each roller receiving housing 30 is positioned at each end the body section 22 and adapted to receive one of the rollers 60. Each roller receiving housing 30 is positioned along a common plane. As shown, each roller receiving housing 30 is connected to an end of the body section 22 and are positioned equidistant from the handle receiving section 24.

In an exemplary embodiment, the roller receiving housing 30 includes a top wall 32 and a pair of outer walls 34 extending downward from the top wall 32. In the shown embodiment, the top wall 32 is arcuate shaped. The top wall 32 and the pair of outer walls 34 provide a roller receiving space positioned there between and accommodate the shape of the rollers 60. The outer walls 34 include a fastener receiving passageway 36 extending there through. In the shown embodiment, each roller receiving housing 30 is positioned along a common axis and, more particularly, each fastener receiving passageway 36 on a side are positioned along a common axis.

In the shown embodiment of FIG. 6, outer bracing walls 38 are provided at the point of connection between the body section 22 and the top wall 32 in order to provide further rigidity and minimize weight of the base 20. The outer bracing walls 38 are intersecting walls extending downward from an inner surface of the top wall 32. In the shown embodiment, the outer bracing walls 38 are contoured shaped.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the base 20 is made from a polymeric material to facilitate manufacturing and keep the tool down. However, one skilled in the art should appreciate that the base 20 can be made from various materials.

As shown, the handle 40 is an elongated member and sized to accommodate griping by a human hand. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the handle 40 is round shaped. However, one skilled in the art should appreciate that the handle 40 could be ergonomically shaped using various shapes.

As shown in FIG. 3, the handle 40 is secured in a position relative to base 20. In the shown embodiment, the handle 40 is orthogonally positioned top the base 20, extending away from the base in a direction perpendicular to the base 20. For the embodiment of the invention illustrated and being described, handle 40 includes a core 42 and an outer sleeve 44. More specifically, for the embodiment of the present invention illustrated and being described, the handle 4 360 includes a hard cylindrical core 42 made from a rigid polymeric material, while the outer sleeve is made from foam, for example. One skilled in the art should appreciate that other materials may be used.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the handle 40 is removably secured to the base 20. For instance, the handle 40 is secured within the handle receiving section 24 through friction fit means. However, it is conceivable that handle be secured to the base 20 using other known means, including helical fasteners, adhesives, etc.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the handle 40 is repositionable relative to base 20 and can extend away from the base at a selectable angle to the base 20. More specifically, for the embodiment of the present invention illustrated and being described, base 20 or the handle 40 includes an angle mechanism to allow the handle 40 to rotate relative to the base 20 and then lock, so that the handle is secured at a selected angle.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, each roller 60 is an elongated, cylindrical members with a body 62 and a fastener receiving channel 64 extending there through. As shown, the fastener receiving channel 64 extends longitudinally from one end to another end of the body 62 about a center axis thereof. For the embodiment of the present invention illustrated and being described, each roller 60 is made of from a thermoplastic and, more particularly, from polyoxymethylene that is commonly sold under the tradename Delrin.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the roller 60 is secured in the roller receiving housing 30 using a fastener 70. For the embodiment of the present invention illustrated and being described, the fastener 70 includes a first fastener section 72 and a second fastener section 80.

The first fastener section 72 includes an elongated female body 74 and a flanged end 78 positioned at an end of the elongated female body 74. As shown, the elongated female body 74 is cylindrically shaped body and has diameter smaller than a dimeter of the fastener receiving passageway 36. In the shown embodiment, the elongated female body 74 has a receiving section with inner threaded walls 76. The flanged end 78 is a flattened body positioned orthogonal female body section 74 and having width or diameter larger than the diameter of the fastener receiving passageway 36.

The second fastener section 80 includes an elongated male body section 82 and a flanged end 86 positioned at an end of the elongated male body section 82. As shown, the elongated male body section 82 is cylindrically shaped body and has diameter smaller than the diameter of the fastener receiving passageway 36. In the shown embodiment, the elongated male body section 82 includes outer threaded walls 84 that correspond to the inner threaded walls 76 of the elongated female body 74. The flanged end 86 is a flattened body positioned orthogonal male body section 82 and having width or diameter larger than the diameter of the fastener receiving passageway 36.

Now with reference to the Figures, assembly of the shoulder rehabilitation tool 1 will be described.

The handle 40 is press fit into the handle receiving section 24. Each roller 60 is positioned in the roller receiving housing 30 and rotatably secured using a fastener 70. The first fastener section 72 is positioned through the fastener receiving section 36 of the outer wall 34 and the fastener receiving channel 64. The second fastener section 80 is positioned through the fastener receiving section 36 of the outer wall 34 and the fastener receiving channel 64. The inner threaded walls 76 76 of the first fastener section 72 engage the outer thread walls of the second fastener section 80 to secure the roller 60 within the roller receiving housing 30.

Now with reference to the Figures, use of the shoulder rehabilitation tool 1, constructed in accordance with the present invention, will be described.

The shoulder rehabilitation tool 1 allows smooth correct mechanical motion to occur. Handle 40 provides the wrist a neutral posture as well as allowing the Anterior Deltoid muscle the optimal angle to contract. The handle 40 positions the Humeral head in a position, so the greater tuberosity clears the acromion and impingement is minimized. The base 20 and the rollers 60 allow the upper trapezius to relax and the weakened or inhibited rotator cuff muscles to initiate and produce a depressive force couple to the joint and allow elevation with proper mechanics to occur. Friction free rollers 60 allow even the most atrophied musculature to overcome gravity and begin strengthening. Forces coupling, eliminates substitution pattern of upper trapezius, provides optimal positioning of the wrist, humeral head and anterior deltoid muscle, friction free motion to begin strengthening with the correct mechanics

The foregoing illustrates some of the possibilities for practicing the present invention. Many other embodiments are possible within the scope and spirit of the present invention. It is, therefore, intended that the foregoing description be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting, and that the scope of the invention is given by the appended claims together with their full range.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this present invention belongs. In case of conflict, the present application including the definitions will control. Also, unless otherwise required by context, singular terms shall include pluralities and plural terms shall include the singular.

Also, the indefinite articles “a” and “an” preceding an element or component of the invention are intended to be nonrestrictive regarding the number of instances, that is, occurrences of the element or component. Therefore “a” or “an” should be read to include one or at least one, and the singular word form of the element or component also includes the plural unless the number is obviously meant to be singular.

The term “invention” or “present invention” as used herein is a non-limiting term and is not intended to refer to any single embodiment of the particular invention but encompasses all possible embodiments as described in the application. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A shoulder rehabilitation tool, comprising: a base; a handle mounted to the base and extending away from the base; and a pair of rollers rotatably secured to the base.
 2. The shoulder rehabilitation tool according to claim 1, wherein the base includes a body section and a pair of roller receiving housings.
 3. The shoulder rehabilitation tool according to claim 2, wherein the body section is an elongated monolithic structures having a handle receiving section positioned on a top surface thereof and extending there-through.
 4. The shoulder rehabilitation tool according to claim 3, wherein the body section is hollow and includes inner bracing walls.
 5. The shoulder rehabilitation tool according to claim 4, wherein the inner bracing walls are collection of intersecting walls extending downward from the inner surface of the body section.
 6. The shoulder rehabilitation tool according to claim 3, wherein each roller receiving housing of the pair of roller receiving housings is positioned at each end the body section and adapted to receive one of the pair of rollers.
 7. The shoulder rehabilitation tool according to claim 6, wherein each roller receiving housing is positioned along a common plane and connected to an end of the body section.
 8. The shoulder rehabilitation tool according to claim 7, wherein the pair of roller receiving housings are positioned equidistant from the handle receiving section.
 9. The shoulder rehabilitation tool according to claim 3, wherein each roller receiving housing of the pair of roller receiving housings includes a top wall and a pair of outer walls extending downward from the top wall.
 10. The shoulder rehabilitation tool according to claim 9, wherein the top wall is arcuate shaped.
 11. The shoulder rehabilitation tool according to claim 10, wherein the top wall and the pair of outer walls provide a roller receiving space positioned there between and accommodate a shape of each of the pair of rollers.
 12. The shoulder rehabilitation tool according to claim 11, wherein each outer wall of the pair of outer walls include a fastener receiving passageway extending there through.
 13. The shoulder rehabilitation tool according to claim 12, further comprising outer bracing walls provided at the point of connection between the body section and the top wall.
 14. The shoulder rehabilitation tool according to claim 13, wherein the outer bracing walls are intersecting walls extending downward from an inner surface of the top wall.
 15. The shoulder rehabilitation tool according to claim 14, wherein the outer bracing walls are contoured shaped.
 16. The shoulder rehabilitation tool according to claim 1, the handle is an elongated member and sized to accommodate griping by a human hand.
 17. The shoulder rehabilitation tool according to claim 16, wherein the handle is orthogonally positioned and secured to a top of the base.
 18. The shoulder rehabilitation tool according to claim 16, wherein the handle includes a core and an outer sleeve.
 19. The shoulder rehabilitation tool according to claim 16, wherein the handle is removably secured to the base.
 20. The shoulder rehabilitation tool according to claim 16, wherein the handle is repositionable relative to base and can extend away from the base at a selectable angle to the base.
 21. The shoulder rehabilitation tool according to claim 1, wherein each roller of the pair of rollers is an elongated, cylindrical members with a body and a fastener receiving channel extending there through.
 22. The shoulder rehabilitation tool according to claim 1, wherein each roller of the pair of rollers is made of from polyoxymethylene. 